This was a derelict area of land filled with brambles together with ballast and large chunks of concrete from the adjacent railway. The site had originally been part of the old railway line which transported coal from nearby pits. Despite this, being an open, sunny spot, it had attracted a large variety of butterflies.
The boundary has been planted up with golder elder, moutain ash, silver birch, hazel and wayfaring trees with a mixture of hawthorn and blackthorn at the top of the bank. In front of these are guilder rose and dog rose. A row of 3 different varieties of buddleja was planted in front of the chain link fence towards the Metro line. The field in front has been planted up with a wide range of wildflower plugs. All of these were aimed at attracting a variety of wildlife but particularly butterflies.
All the planting was done during community planting days which attracted over 40 people.
Below are images of the area March 2011 and later May 2012.
It will take a further 2-3 years for all this to become fully established.
After a month with no rain the area was looking very bare in May 2020
In November 2014
In March 2011
In May 2012
Some of our volunteers hard at work during community planting days.
Tree planting
Families having great fun planting wildflower plugs.
3 generations planting wildflower plugs
Even some of the brownies got involved. Well-earned
coffee break during one of the planting days